Soil erosion can reduce the land available for farming.
Soil erosion is the wearing away of soil, often by wind or water. This is a serious problem in some areas, as arable soil is reduced by erosion. Science fair projects on soil erosion can take a variety of forms, from examining different types of erosion, to looking at ways to prevent erosion. If you have open areas near you, you can design and experiment to study erosion as it happens. Other soil erosion projects can be conducted indoors.
Preventing Erosion
This science fair project on soil erosion is appropriate for students in elementary school. Fill two cake tins with soil. Plant grass seed in one tin and water it daily. Place the tin in a sunny spot and in a two to three weeks, your grass will be around three inches high. In the other tin, place the same type of soil and moisten it with water. Take both tins outside and place them side by side. Raise one end of each tin by six to eight inches by placing them on wooden blocks or bricks. Use a watering can to pour water over both tins. Note how much soil in each tin washes away. The grass should hold onto the soil and prevent it from washing away. You can repeat this activity using different types of plants. Discuss which type of plant prevents erosion best.
Shape and Erosion
This science fair project tests the effect of land shape on soil erosion. It is suitable for elementary and middle school students. Use three flat baking pans or plastic trays. Place a cup of sand on each tray. On one tray, shape the sand into two mountains; on the second tray, shape the sand into two mountains and cover the mountains with tissue paper or plastic. On the third tray, flatten the sand out. Make a hole in the bottom of a Styrofoam cup. Use a watering can to water the sand in each tray. Repeat this with the other two trays, using the same amount of water for each tray. Discuss the erosion that occurred in each tray and which tray had the least erosion.
Measuring Erosion
In this science fair project, older elementary and middle school students can measure rates of erosion at different locations. Chose several different locations that are on a slope. You can compare different degrees of slope with similar soil types; the same degree of slope with different soil types; or areas with different types of plant cover. For each site, make two or three sample collectors by cutting the tops off plastic water or soda bottles. Bury each container at the bottom of the slope, so that the edge of the bottle is at the same level as the soil. Weigh the amount of soil that collects in each container every two or three days. Dry the soil in a low oven before weighing. Average results from the containers at each site and graph the results. Discuss the effect of terrain, weather and ground cover on the amount of soil collected at each site.
Barriers to Erosion
This science fair projects tests different types of barriers used to prevent soil erosion. It is appropriate for middle school students. Fill a large plastic tray with soil. Use wood or plastic to make barriers in different configurations in the tray. For example, large wooden dowels placed in a zig zag pattern down the tray. Take the tray outside and elevate one end using bricks or wooden blocks. Place a second tray at the end to collect any soil that runs off. Use a watering can to pour water down the tray. Remove any soil that collects in the second tray, dry it in a low oven and weigh it. Repeat the project using a differently shaped barrier. Discuss which style of barrier worked best to prevent soil erosion.
Tags: soil erosion, different types, each tray, each site, Erosion This
